Most organisations now think they reduced their office space too much in the wake of the pandemic

Most organisations now think they reduced their office space too much in the wake of the pandemic

According to The Office Occupiers Report 2025 from Irwin Mitchell nearly two-thirds of the organisations surveyed now believe they may have downsized their office space too much over the past few years.Most UK businesses now believe they got their office space strategies wrong in the wake of the pandemic. According to The Office Occupiers Report 2025 from Irwin Mitchell nearly two-thirds of the organisations surveyed now believe they may have downsized their office space too much over the past few years. Consequently, 45 percent are planning to expand their office footprint within the next 12 to 18 months, compared to just 10 percent considering further reductions. (more…)

Office design and the office market are not what you might be led to believe

Office design and the office market are not what you might be led to believe

The future of office design is that the physical workplace will resemble nothing so much as an upscale hotel, right? Right?Over the weekend The Times published an article headlined “The ‘super-prime’ offices designed to lure WFH staff back in”. It described how firms are reshaping offices in the image of upmarket hotels, with enticing features such as gyms, childcare, cinemas, climbing walls, lounges and restaurants (run by Gordon Ramsay natch). These are luxury spaces to make the office worth the commute, as the cliché goes. Although the author concedes that this is largely a London phenomenon in the UK, the implication is that offices everywhere must ape this office design approach to some degree to meet the demands of the post-covid workforce. This is compelling stuff and not the first time you will have heard the argument. But, is it true? (more…)

Sustainability and wellbeing yet again key themes of South West BCO Awards

Sustainability and wellbeing yet again key themes of South West BCO Awards

Seven office developments across the South of England and South Wales have been recognised as the region’s most outstanding workplaces at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) AwardsSeven office developments across the South of England and South Wales have been recognised as the region’s most outstanding workplaces at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. Among the winners were three Bristol-based projects, highlighting the city’s growing reputation for innovative, inclusive and sustainable office design. The awards ceremony, held at We The Curious in Bristol, celebrated excellence in office design, fit-out, and environmental performance. With a strong emphasis this year on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), wellbeing, and inclusivity, the judges praised the winning projects for their forward-thinking, occupier-focused approaches. (more…)

Co-working spaces bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

Co-working spaces bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

Today’s co-working spaces have evolved into something more powerful – particularly in a world still reshuffling office work practices in the wake of the COVID pandemic.When you think of co-working spaces – where workers from different industries come together to share a convenient workplace – you might picture a group of young freelancers hunched over laptops. But today’s co-working spaces have evolved into something more powerful – particularly in a world still reshuffling office work practices in the wake of the COVID pandemic. As workplaces adapt to new ways of operating, from hybrid to “digital nomadism”, co-working spaces can do more than simply offer flexibility. They can support workers’ wellbeing and work–life balance by enhancing a sense of community, building trust and new friendships, and encouraging continuous learning. (more…)

Pace from Profim. Where design meets human-centred innovation

Pace from Profim. Where design meets human-centred innovation

Profim proudly unveils Pace, an innovative task chair that redefines comfortable, sustainable seating for the modern workplace. Created by Germany's ITO Design, the studio behind Profim's bestselling Xenon and AccisPro lines, and engineered in Poland, Pace seamlessly blends German design precision with Polish manufacturing excellence. The chair's clean, contemporary silhouette adapts effortlessly to diverse work environments.Profim proudly unveils Pace, an innovative task chair that redefines comfortable, sustainable seating for the modern workplace. Created by Germany’s ITO Design, the studio behind Profim’s bestselling Xenon and AccisPro lines, and engineered in Poland, Pace seamlessly blends German design precision with Polish manufacturing excellence. The chair’s clean, contemporary silhouette adapts effortlessly to diverse work environments. Its Synchro SFL MAX mechanism enables smooth, natural movement, providing subtle support for different seating positions without compromising visual elegance. With multiple backrest, lumbar support, and armrest options, Pace enhances comfort while helping to reduce workplace health concerns, making it ideal for settings ranging from startups to corporate offices. (more…)

Regional BCO Awards show how London’s best offices are redefining the way we work

Regional BCO Awards show how London’s best offices are redefining the way we work

The awards recognise excellence in the design, fit-out, operation and environmental responsibility of London's best offices.In a city where tradition meets the cutting edge, London’s office spaces are undergoing a quiet revolution. At the British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Awards, held today at the London Hilton on Park Lane, seven projects were celebrated—not just for their architectural merit, but for what they reveal about the evolving needs of workers, employers, and communities alike. This year’s winners, chosen from across the capital, signal what the BCO claim is a new era of workplace thinking—where sustainability, community engagement, and human experience carry as much weight as style and status. The awards recognise excellence in the design, fit-out, operation and environmental responsibility of London’s best offices. The 2025 cohort offers more than inspiration; it sets a bold new benchmark for the offices of tomorrow. (more…)

Workspace Design Show returns to Amsterdam with a new, future-focused agenda

Workspace Design Show returns to Amsterdam with a new, future-focused agenda

After a successful debut in 2023, the Workspace Design Show will return to Amsterdam this November, promising to shape the future of workplace interiors.After a successful debut in 2023, the Workspace Design Show will return to Amsterdam this November, promising to shape the future of workplace interiors. Taking place from 5–6 November 2025 at RAI Amsterdam, the event is recognised as the UK and Europe’s leading exhibition dedicated to the evolution of workplace environments. Bringing together some of the most creative minds in architecture, design, occupier strategy and sustainability, the Amsterdam edition will focus on how to create more effective, inspiring, and future-proof workspaces. Innovation, sustainability and wellbeing will be at the heart of the 2025 show, with an outstanding speaker programme planned across three dedicated stages: Workspace Design Talks, Occupiers Forum, and Sustainability Talks. The sessions aim to deliver critical insights and practical strategies for designing the workplace of tomorrow. (more…)

Workspace Design Show Amsterdam 2025 returns to inspire the offices of the future

Workspace Design Show Amsterdam 2025 returns to inspire the offices of the future

The Workspace Design Show is set to make a return to Amsterdam this year, promising to bring together industry leaders, designers, and top brands to shape the future of workplace interiors. Following its successful debut in October 2023, the event will take place at the RAI Amsterdam on 5–6 November 2025, with organisers anticipating an even larger and more dynamic showcase. The 2025 edition is expected to attract over 6,000 visitors and feature more than 800 products alongside a series of high-profile discussions and presentations. The FRAME Awards will be a key highlight, celebrating excellence in workspace design, while three conferences will bring together major global occupiers including Booking.com, Amazon, Zoom, and Ubisoft. Design leaders from firms such as Gensler, UNStudio, HENN, CBRE, Colliers, and Arcadis will also contribute to discussions on the future of workplace strategy and culture. (more…)

Genuinely unmissable workplace events are thin on the ground. The Workspace Design Show is one of the best

Genuinely unmissable workplace events are thin on the ground. The Workspace Design Show is one of the best

We’ve been here before, of course. We’ve been here many times before – for a variety of workplace events. What’s more, we like coming here. We like the Business Design Centre. We like Islington. And we very much like the Workspace Design Show.For some unknown reason the Business Design Centre was once derided, disliked and generally dismissed by many in the workplace sector. We never really understood this. Why would an industry with a hub just down the road in Clerkenwell not like the idea of visiting an exhibition centre that is so local? Why would they not be happy to come to Islington, with its enviable array of restaurants bars cafés etc? It’s not as though anyone’s being forced to head out to a slightly random, innocuous residential area of London. For those not based in and around Clerkenwell and the City, communications in and out of Islington are extremely good, unlike some of those more problematic destinations to the west of London. (more…)

Outdated offices are sabotaging ‘return to office’ policies

Outdated offices are sabotaging ‘return to office’ policies

The debate over whether to return to the office or sustain a remote team has become one of the most significant workplace discussions in recent yearsThe debate over whether to return to office work or sustain a remote team has become one of the most significant workplace discussions in recent years. Companies are struggling to balance remote and in-office work, yet strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates are failing to deliver the intended results. While many assume the COVID-19 pandemic was the advent of hybrid work models, in reality, many businesses had already begun adopting flexible work arrangements before the pandemic accelerated the shift to remote working. (more…)

Bigger and better than ever, Workspace Design Show London returns

Bigger and better than ever, Workspace Design Show London returns

In just a few days, the eagerly-awaited Workspace Design Show, the trade show that brings together the UK workplace interiors community, will open its doorsIt’s back. The Workspace Design Show London is bigger and better than ever, with over 5,000 workplace professionals, including architects, designers, developers, and end-user occupiers, joining together to explore the present and future of workspace design and management. In just a few days, the eagerly-awaited Workspace Design Show, the trade show that brings together the UK workplace interiors community, will open its doors. Held at London’s Business Design Centre, handily placed in the heart of Islington, from 26-27 February 2025, the event offers attendees the chance to explore the latest industry trends, see the latest products, and find inspiration in the thought-provoking talks programmes. (more…)

Sustainable Design Awards call for entries

Sustainable Design Awards call for entries

The Sustainable Design Collective (SDC), a think tank group of leading design professionals working in the office workplace sector – is inviting entries for its annual awards.The Sustainable Design Collective (SDC), a think tank group of leading design professionals working in the office workplace sector – is inviting entries for its annual awards. The announcement follows confirmation that the third SD Forum will be held on 24th April 2025 at the Crypt on the Green in Clerkenwell, London. Free to enter, each entry will be assessed completely independently by a panel of eight industry experts against specified criteria. New to the team, this year’s panel includes award-winning product designer, Luke Pearson and Sophie Thomas, founding partner at Thomas.Matthews. Assessments include: whole life carbon performance including contribution to the circular economy; contribution to the health and wellbeing of the occupants; and social value. (more…)